Michael Cuesta is directing the film, working from Peter Landesman’s script, which is based on the tragic true story of investigative reporter Gary Webb.

Working at the San Jose Mercury News, Webb uncovered evidence suggesting the CIA’s involvement in the spread of cocaine in Los Angeles. The stories tied the Agency to a scheme that funded Contra rebels in Nicaragua via the drug trade.

His three-part series, called Dark Alliance, hit newsstands in 1996, which led to a long, vicious smear campaign and Webb’s suicide in 2004.

The film’s rights will be sold at the Berlinale, which kicks off this Thursday and, assuming everything falls into place, the cameras will be cranking this summer.

Renner will next be seen in Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (out on February 27), and he’s attached to co-star with Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper and Amy Adams in David O. Russell’s next film.